Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerTennessee CDL Prep
Tennessee CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Tennessee commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Tennessee CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Tennessee
In Tennessee, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Tennessee age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Tennessee CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Tennessee. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerTennessee CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Tennessee CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Tennessee.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee requires all new CDL applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training with a registered provider. ELDT applies before skills testing for first-time Class A or B, upgrades, and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements. Highways for Heroes can waive the skills test for eligible military applicants, but knowledge testing is still required.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Tennessee?
Yes for most non-excepted drivers. Submit a Self-Certification Affidavit for every CDL application, upgrade, transfer, or renewal. Tennessee began electronic Medical Examiner's Certificate transmission from the FMCSA National Registry on June 15, 2025 — paper Form MCSA-5876 is no longer accepted as proof. Keep medical status current; contact the CDL MedCert Section at 615-502-4179 before visiting a Driver Services Center if your certificate expired.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Tennessee?
Bring proof of Social Security number, a Tennessee driver license or ID (or a valid out-of-state driver license or CDL), two proofs of Tennessee residency, and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. Have your Self-Certification Affidavit ready and confirm electronic medical certification is on your record if required for your commerce type. Knowledge tests are taken at Full-Service Driver Services Centers.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Tennessee?
Yes. Pass the hazardous materials knowledge test, complete hazmat ELDT if you are a first-time applicant, and finish the TSA security threat assessment required under the USA PATRIOT Act. Hazmat retesting is required at renewal and for many reinstatements or returning residents. Government employees with a P or H endorsement still need DOT medical certification.
How much do Tennessee CDL permits and licenses cost?
A Class A learner permit totals about $14 for one year ($8 permit + $6 application). Class B or C permits are about $13. A Class A CDL is about $70 for eight years; Class B or C about $62. Third-party skills testers may charge additional fees.
Does Tennessee issue non-domicile CDLs?
No. Tennessee does not issue non-domicile commercial driver licenses. Applicants must prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. Beginning January 1, 2026, CDL credentials issued to holders of a valid Permanent Resident Card are Temporary CDLs.
Can military members waive the Tennessee CDL skills test?
Possibly through Highways for Heroes. Eligible active-duty members (including National Guard and Reserve) and veterans discharged within the last year who are Tennessee residents may waive the basic road skills test with commanding-officer certification of a military operator's permit and two years of experience in the same vehicle type. Knowledge tests are still required.
What is a Tennessee Code 24 farm-restricted CDL?
Code 24 is a restricted intrastate CDL for certain farm-related service industry employees (agri-chemical, custom harvester, farm retail/supplier, or livestock feeder). It is limited to Class B or C farm-related service vehicles within 150 miles of the employer or farm and never outside Tennessee, for no more than 180 consecutive days in a 12-month period. Knowledge and skills tests are waived, but other CDL requirements still apply.
Does PrepCDL cover Tennessee?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Tennessee CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.